Reciprocating surgical saw blade

ABSTRACT

A reciprocating surgical saw blade includes a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a main body extending between the distal portion and the proximal portion. The main body includes an upper surface and a lower surface, and a first outer edge extending from the upper surface to the lower surface of the main body, and a second outer a second outer edge extending from the upper surface to the lower surface of the main body. A biocompatible polymer is provided along at least one of the upper surface, the lower surface, the first outer edge, or the second outer edge of the main body.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S.application Ser. No. 15/202,167, filed on Jul. 5, 2016, which claimspriority to U.S. Provisional patent application 62/188,245, filed onJul. 2, 2015, and entitled “Wear Reducing Cutting System,” both of whichare herein incorporated by reference as if fully set forth in thisdescription.

FIELD OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

This present disclosure relates to surgical cutting system andcomponents. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to areciprocating surgical saw blade that prevents abrasions that may occurbetween a reciprocating surgical saw blade and a cutting guide slot,thereby helping to ensure bone cutting precision while also reducingundesired surgical debris.

BACKGROUND

Orthopedic related surgeries often require repositioning/partial removalof bone. One of the commonly used tools to cut or prepare the bone is areciprocating surgical saw blade. This practice is more common in ajoint replacement surgery. A joint replacement surgery is a procedure inwhich the arthritic or dysfunctional joint surface is replaced with anorthopedic prosthesis. Joint replacement is considered as a treatmentwhen there is severe joint pain or dysfunction is not alleviated byless-invasive therapies.

In a joint replacement surgery, a reciprocating saw blade is one of thevarious instruments which are used for cutting the bone. The saw bladeshave teeth on their cutting edge so as to facilitate cutting through thebone. During such a surgery, the reciprocating a saw blade is fitted ina motor driven power tool to cut the measured section of the bone. Thesaw blade when connected to a motor driven power tool may oscillate in aback and forth and sideways oscillating motion. To enhance precision incutting the measured section of the bone, the saw blade is used inconjunction with a cutting guide that is fixed or pinned around thetarget anatomy so that the bone is precisely cut along the lines of theslot.

The surgeon performs the surgical procedure by sequentially insertingthe saw blade in the slot. Once the blade is inserted in the slot, thesaw is actuated by the power tool. In this manner the surgeon is able tocut the bone along the precisely defined lines along which the bone isto be separated. The blade cuts the bone where its motion range isconstrained by the walls of metal cutting guide slot. Such an interfaceof the blade and walls of the cutting guide slot gives rise to frictionwhich can increase the heat and debris, thereby affecting the outcome ofthe surgery. Debris generated increases the potential of osteolysis andeventually bone loss around the affected region. Friction may alsounnecessarily consume the power supplied to the saw blade. The wearingof the blade can also widen the slot thereby affecting the accuracy ofthe cut. This means that the slot and/or blade must be repaired orreplaced with a new one which in turn may again affect the accuracy andalso increase the overall cost. In the long run, excessive wear mayaffect the accuracy of the cutting guide, in which case life of thecutting guide is compromised.

In certain orthopedic procedures, the instruments used to resect bonecan produce instances where particulate metal debris can be formed bythe action of passing a reciprocating or oscillating surgical saw bladethrough a cutting guide. Even though steps are taken to ensure thatdissimilar metals and coatings are used, there is still a propensity forboth microscopic and macroscopic metal debris to form. This debris canfind its way into the joint cavity/capsule of the patient. This debriswill then be present in the patient post-surgery, where it may have apossibility of becoming lodged in either bone tissue or soft tissue inthe knee joint, or where the saw was utilized. The local effect of metaldebris that remains in the patient can eventually lead to osteolysis andimplant loosening or bone resorption.

There is, therefore, a general need to reduce undesired debris that canbe generated during a surgical procedure while also maintaining accuracyand precision in the cutting of the measured section of the bone duringan orthopedic surgery. There is also a general need to reduce frictionat the interface between the blade and the walls of cutting guide slotused during an orthopedic surgery, thereby reducing undesired metalparticles so as to prevent osteolysis.

SUMMARY

In one arrangement, a reciprocating surgical saw blade is provided. Thereciprocating surgical saw blade comprises, a distal portion, a proximalportion, and a main body extending from the distal portion to theproximal portion. The main body comprising an upper surface and a lowersurface, and a first outer edge extending from the upper surface to thelower surface of the main body, and a second outer edge extending fromthe upper surface to the lower surface of the main body. A biocompatiblepolymer disposed along at least one of the upper surface, the lowersurface, the first outer edge, or the second outer edge of the main bodyof the reciprocating surgical saw blade.

In one reciprocating surgical saw blade arrangement, the biocompatiblepolymer comprises a sheath that is disposed along the upper surface, thelower surface, the first outer edge, and the second outer edge of themain body of the reciprocating surgical saw blade. In one arrangement,the sheath extends from the distal portion to the proximal portion ofthe reciprocating surgical saw blade. As just one example, the sheathmay comprise a solid sheath that extends from the distal portion to theproximal portion of the reciprocating surgical saw blade.

In one reciprocating surgical saw blade arrangement, either the uppersurface or the lower surface of the main body of the reciprocatingsurgical saw blade comprises at least one recessed surface, wherein thebiocompatible polymer resides within the at least one recessed surface.In one example, the biocompatible polymer residing within the at leastone recessed surface may be flush or may not be flush with an uppersurface of the distal portion of the reciprocating surgical saw blade.In addition, the at least one recessed surface defines a plurality ofcavities.

In one reciprocating surgical saw blade arrangement, the reciprocatingsurgical saw blade may comprise a cutting geometry provided along adistal end face of the distal portion of the reciprocating surgical sawblade.

In one reciprocating surgical saw blade arrangement, the reciprocatingsurgical saw blade may comprise at least one elastic barrier runningalong either the first outer edge or the second outer edge of the mainbody of the reciprocating surgical saw blade. The at least one elasticbarrier may be configured to dampen a force received from thereciprocating surgical saw blade when the blade comes into contact witha cutting guide. For example, the at least one elastic barrier mayextend from the distal portion to the proximal portion of thereciprocating saw blade.

In one reciprocating surgical saw blade arrangement, the main body ofthe reciprocating surgical saw blade defines a plurality of cavities,wherein each cavity extends between the upper surface and the lowersurface of the main body.

In one reciprocating surgical saw blade arrangement, the reciprocatingsurgical saw blade may comprise at least one elongated cavity providedeither along the upper surface or the lower surface of the main body ofthe reciprocating surgical saw blade, wherein the biocompatible polymeris disposed within the at least one elongated cavity. For example, theat least one elongated cavity extends between the upper surface and thelower surface of the main body.

In one reciprocating surgical saw blade arrangement, the biocompatiblepolymer provided along at least one surface of the main body of thereciprocating surgical saw blade is flush with an upper surface of thedistal portion of the reciprocating surgical saw blade.

In one reciprocating surgical saw blade arrangement, the distal portioncomprises a distal portion height H_(DP) that is different than a mainbody portion height H_(MB) of the main body of the reciprocatingsurgical saw blade.

In one reciprocating surgical saw blade arrangement, the reciprocatingsurgical saw blade may comprise a distal portion, a proximal portion,and a main body extending between the distal portion and the proximalportion. The main body may comprise an upper surface and a lowersurface, and a first outer edge extending from the upper surface to thelower surface, and a second outer a second outer edge extending from theupper surface to the lower surface. The reciprocating surgical saw blademay further comprise at least one elastic barrier running along eitherthe first outer edge or the second outer edge of the main body of thereciprocating surgical saw blade. The at least one elastic barrier isconfigured to dampen a force received from the reciprocating surgicalsaw blade when the reciprocating surgical saw blade comes into contactwith a cutting guide. For example, the at least one elastic barrier maycomprise an elongated slot, the elongated slot extending between theupper surface and the lower surface of the main body of thereciprocating surgical saw blade.

In one reciprocating surgical saw blade arrangement, the reciprocatingsurgical saw blade may comprise a biocompatible polymer provided alongat least one of the upper surface, the lower surface, the first outeredge or the second outer edge of the main body of the reciprocatingsurgical saw blade.

In one reciprocating surgical saw blade arrangement, the reciprocatingsurgical saw blade may comprise, either the upper surface or the lowersurface of the main body of the reciprocating surgical saw bladecomprises at least one recessed surface, wherein the biocompatiblepolymer resides within the at least one recessed surface. As just oneexample, the biocompatible polymer residing within the at least onerecessed surface may or may not be flush with an upper surface of thedistal portion of the reciprocating surgical saw blade.

In one reciprocating surgical saw blade arrangement, at least onerecessed surface defines a plurality of cavities.

The disclosed reciprocating surgical saw blade arrangements providenumerous additions and enhancements. For example, disclosed surgicalblade arrangements enable a reciprocating surgical blade to have lesscontact with another metal surfaces, such as a metal surface provided bycut guides. In addition, disclosed surgical blade arrangements also helpto mitigate impact related damage or metal debris, from orthopedic cutguides. Typically, the use of oscillating surgical saw blades results incertain friction wear of the broad contact surfaces. This broad contactcan develop microscopic metal debris that can be seen by the naked eyein the form of black smudges on the patient's resected bone tissue.Also, there is a tendency for the rigid metal edges of the saw blade toimpact upon the interior edges of cut guide. This can potentiallydevelop a buildup of burrs that can detach from the cut guides and endup in the patient.

The disclosed reciprocating surgical blade saw arrangements limits thiswith a twofold approach. First, in one reciprocating surgical blade sawarrangement, there is a thin layer of a biocompatible polymer or otherfriction and wear reducing coating, but not limited to, that acts as anintermediate friction reducing layer. When contact between the surgicalblade saw and guide occurs, and wear of one or both also will typicallyoccur, it is on behalf of the biocompatible polymer layer instead of themetal material that the saw blade is comprised of. In one arrangement,the biocompatible polymer layer may also wrap around to the edges of thesaw blade, where the biocompatible polymer can act as a buffer to theimpact forces created by the oscillation of the blade in the cut guide.

In an alternative arrangement, this impact buffering could also beachieved with a narrow slot or a plurality of slots running down theoutboard edges of the reciprocating saw blade main body. These slotswould create a thin area on the edge of the reciprocating saw blade thatcould compress and rebound to limit the impact force of the blade edgewithin the cut guide.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be inany way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments,and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and featureswill become apparent by reference to the figures and the followingdetailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to thedrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a surgical cutting system that includes areciprocating saw blade in combination with a cutting guide.

FIG. 2 shows a top down view of a reciprocating saw blade arrangement.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the reciprocating saw bladearrangement illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates a close up view of a portion of the reciprocating sawblade illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 5 shows a detail view of the recess that allows for the polymermaterial to be flush, or even to the surface of the metal blade. Detail1 a is the polymer material, and detail 2 a is the distal end portion ofthe reciprocating saw blade.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of another reciprocating saw bladearrangement.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of another reciprocating saw bladearrangement.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of yet another reciprocating sawblade arrangement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings,similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless contextdictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in thedetailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting.Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made,without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matterpresented herein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of thepresent disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated inthe figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, anddesigned in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which areexplicitly contemplated herein.

Generally, the present disclosure relates to a bone cutting surgicaldevice, such as a reciprocating saw blade. The device is able to engagewith powered surgical instruments via proximal connection points on theproximal end of the cutting device. Once connected, the cutting devicemay oscillate side to side or back and forth. In one arrangement, thedevice will have a sleeve comprised of a biocompatible polymer material.This friction reducing coating will act as an intermediate wearreduction surface that will mitigate the broad surface metal on metalcontact that typically occurs when in use in conjunction with a cuttingguide.

In one arrangement, the reciprocating saw blade comprises a recessedsurface so that the friction reducing coating surface geometry will sitflush with the broad metal surface of the blade body. Also, thereciprocating saw blade can have a series of slots running along theouter edge of the metal body to act as an elastic barrier to dampen theforce received from the metal on metal contract the cutting devicereceives from the metal cutting guide. This can also be enhanced, orreplaced, by a side relief where the friction reducing materialcomprises the outer perimeter of the blade that is most likely tocontact the cut guide walls with an oscillating motion. The featuresthat reduce the blade vibration also improves accuracy of the resection.

For example, FIG. 1 illustrates a surgical cutting system 100 thatincludes a reciprocating surgical saw blade 110 in combination with asurgical cutting guide 120. As illustrated, the saw blade 110 has afirst or distal portion or end 104. The saw blade 110 further comprisesa second end or proximal end or portion 108. Preferably, the first endor distal end/portion 104 comprises a plurality of teeth 105. As will bedescribed in greater detail herein, in one preferred arrangement, thesaw blade 110 comprises a biocompatible polymer 140 that is providedalong at least one surface of the saw blade 110.

As illustrated, prior to a cutting surgical procedure, the saw blade 110is inserted into a cutting guide slot 150 defined by the surgicalcutting guide 120. The cutting guide slot 120 defines a top surface122A, a bottom surface 122B, and two side walls 122C,D. During a cuttingprocedure, a motorized tool will oscillate the saw with the cuttingguide slot 120 so as to guide the saw along a targeted cut path. Theoscillating motion of the saw will drive the reciprocating saw blade,and allow it to make cuts in bone tissue with the cutting geometryprovided along a distal end face of the saw. This cutting geometry canvary as needed based upon the desired cutting action and force.Materials and certain procedures may dictate other changes to bladecutting geometry or thickness.

The proximal portion 108 of the reciprocating saw blade 110 isconfigured to be connected to a motor driven power tool which can be ofany shape compatible with the motor driven power tool to derive thepower to cut the bone. During this bone cutting procedure, interferencescan occur between the inner surfaces of the cutting guide and thevarious surfaces of the reciprocating saw. The biocompatible polymer 140of the blade helps to minimize friction that may be generated by theinterfaces occurring between the oscillating saw blade surfaces and theinner surfaces of the cutting guide slot.

FIG. 2 shows a top down view of a reciprocating saw blade arrangement200 for use with a surgical cutting system 100, such as the surgicalcutting system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 illustrates a side viewof the reciprocating saw blade arrangement 200 illustrated in FIG. 1.Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the reciprocating saw blade arrangement200 comprises a distal portion or a first portion 204 and a proximalportion or a second portion 208. The reciprocating saw blade arrangement200 further comprises a main body 210 that extends from the distalportion 204 to the proximal portion 208. A cutting geometry 214 isprovided along a distal end face 212 of the distal portion 204 of thereciprocating saw blade arrangement 200. Such a cutting geometry 214 maycomprise a plurality of cutting teeth.

The main body 210 comprises an upper or a top surface 220 and a lower ora bottom surface 224. The main body 210 further also comprises a firstouter edge 230 that extends from the upper surface of the main body 210to the lower surface 224 of the main body 210. Similarly, the main body210 further comprises a second outer edge 236 extending from the uppersurface 220 to the lower surface 224 of the main body 210. Theillustrated blade saw arrangement 200 also comprises a biocompatiblepolymer 240 that disposed along at least one surface of the blade saw.That is, the illustrated blade saw arrangement 200 comprises abiocompatible polymer 240 that is disposed along at least one of theupper surface 220, the lower surface 224, the first outer edge 230, orthe second outer edge 236 of the main body 210 of the reciprocatingsurgical saw blade 200.

As just one example, the biocompatible polymer 240 may comprise a sheathor a prophylactic coating 246 that surrounds the main body 210 or atleast a portion of the main body 210. Such a sheath may be disposedalong the both the upper surface 220, the lower surface 224, the firstouter edge 230, and the second outer edge 236 of the main body 210 ofthe reciprocating surgical saw blade 200. Such a sheath 246 may extendalong the entire length L_(MB) 250 of the main body 210 of the surgicalsaw blade 200. In one exemplary arrangement, the sheath 246 may extendfrom the distal portion 204 to the proximal portion 208 of thereciprocating surgical saw blade 210. Alternative sheath arrangementsmay also be used. As just one example, the sheath 246 may extend onlyalong a portion of the length L_(MB) 250 of the main body 210.Alternatively, one or more sheaths may be utilized along the lengthL_(MB) 250 of the main body 210 of the surgical saw 200.

In one exemplary arrangement, the sheath 246 comprises a solid sheaththat extends from the distal portion 204 to the proximal portion 208 ofthe reciprocating surgical saw blade 200. In one exemplary arrangement,the sheath 246 is flush with a top surface of the distal portion 204 ofthe reciprocating saw 200. For example, FIG. 4 illustrates a close upview of the main body 210 and the distal portion 204 of thereciprocating saw 200 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. As illustrated, athe distal portion 204 comprises a distal portion height H_(DP) that isdifferent than a main body portion height H_(MB) of the main body 210 ofthe reciprocating surgical saw blade 200. Specifically, in onearrangement, the distal portion 204 comprises a distal portion heightH_(DP) that is larger than a main body portion height H_(MB) of the mainbody 210 of the reciprocating surgical saw blade. As such, in thisarrangement, a polymer provided along the outer surfaces of the mainbody 210 would then be flush with the outer surfaces of the distalportion 204. For example, FIG. 5 shows a detail view of the recess thatallows for the polymer material to be flush, or even to the surface ofthe saw blade. Detail 1 a is the polymer material 240, and detail 2 a isthe distal end portion 204 of the reciprocating saw blade 200.

In one exemplary arrangement, the main body 210 of surgical sawarrangement 200 may define a plurality of cavities. For example, FIG. 6illustrates an alternative surgical saw arrangement 300 comprising aplurality of cavities 302. Similar to the arrangement 200 illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, surgical saw arrangement 300 comprises a distal portionor a first portion 304 and a proximal portion or a second portion 308.The blade arrangement 300 further comprises a main body 310 that extendsfrom the distal portion 304 to the proximal portion 308. A cuttinggeometry 314 is provided along a distal end face 312 of the distalportion 304 of the reciprocating surgical saw blade 300. Such a cuttinggeometry 314 may comprise a plurality of cutting teeth.

The main body 310 comprises an upper or a top surface 320 and a lower ora bottom surface 324. The main body 310 further also comprises a firstouter edge 330 that extends from the upper surface 320 of the main body310 to the lower surface 324 of the main body 310. Similarly, the mainbody 310 further comprises a second outer edge 336 extending from theupper surface 320 to the lower surface 324 of the main body 310. Theillustrated blade saw arrangement 300 also comprises a biocompatiblepolymer 340 that is disposed along at least one surface of the saw blade300. That is, the illustrated blade saw arrangement 300 comprises abiocompatible polymer 340 that is disposed along at least one of theupper surface 320, the lower surface 324, the first outer edge 330, orthe second outer edge 336 of the main body 310 of the reciprocatingsurgical saw blade 300. In addition, the main body 310 defines aplurality of cavities 302 that extend between the upper surface 320 andthe lower surface 324 of the main body 310. As just one example, cavity360 extends between the upper surface 320 and the lower surface 324 ofthe main body 310.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative arrangement surgical saw arrangement400. Similar to the arrangement 200 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, thearrangement 400 illustrated in FIG. 7 comprises a distal portion 404, aproximal portion 408, a main body 410 extending from the distal portion304 to the proximal portion 408. The main body 410 comprises an uppersurface 420 and a lower surface 424, and a first outer edge 430extending from the upper surface to the lower surface of the main body410, and a second outer edge 436 extending from the upper surface 420 tothe lower surface 424 of the main body 410. In addition, thereciprocating surgical saw blade 400 may comprise one or more recessedsurfaces 470. As illustrated, the reciprocating surgical saw blade 400comprises two recessed surfaces 470A,B provided along the upper or topsurface 420 of the reciprocating surgical saw blade 400. One or morerecessed surfaces may also be provided along a bottom surface of thereciprocating surgical saw blade 400. In one preferred arrangement, abiocompatible polymer 440 is provided to reside within the at least onerecessed surface.

The biocompatible polymer 440 residing within the recessed surface orsurfaces 470A,B may or may not be flush with an upper surface of thedistal portion 404 of the reciprocating surgical saw blade 400. That is,a height defined by the biocompatible polymer 440 residing with therecessed surface 470A,B may have a height greater than a height definedby the distal portion 404 of the reciprocating surgical saw blade 400.One reason for providing for such a height difference is that wherecontact occurs between the blade and the guide (such as the guideillustrated in FIG. 1), it will be the biocompatible polymer 440 thatexperiences friction and not the metal of the saw blade 400.

In one arrangement, the recessed surface 470A,B may also define aplurality of cavities 480. Such cavities may aid with the formationand/or adhesion of a biocompatible polymer 440 along the surfaces of themain body 410.

In one arrangement, the reciprocating surgical saw blade 400 illustratedin FIG. 7 may further comprise at least one elastic barrier runningalong either the first outer edge 430 or the second outer edge 436 ofthe main body 410 of the reciprocating surgical saw blade 400. Forexample, such the at least one elastic barrier can be configured todampen a force received from the reciprocating surgical saw blade whenthe blade comes into contact with a cutting guide.

For example, FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative reciprocating surgicalsaw blade 500 comprising at least one elastic barrier 590. In thisillustrated arrangement, three barriers 590A,B,C are provided along afirst edge 530 of the main body 510. Similarly, three barriers 592A,B,Care provided along a second edge 536 of the main body 510. However, asthose of ordinary skill in the art will recognize, alternative barrierarrangements may also be used. As just one example, an alternativereciprocating surgical saw blade may comprise at least one elasticbarrier that extends from a distal portion 504 to a proximal portion 508of the reciprocating saw blade 500.

It should be understood that the illustrated components are intended asan example only. In other example embodiments, fewer components,additional components, and/or alternative components are possible aswell. Further, it should be understood that the above described andshown embodiments of the present disclosure are to be regarded asnon-limiting examples and that they can be modified within the scope ofthe claims.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, otheraspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes ofillustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scopebeing indicated by the following claims, along with the full scope ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is also to beunderstood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to belimiting.

I claim:
 1. A reciprocating surgical saw blade comprising: a distalportion comprising a cutting geometry provided along a distal end faceand an open aperture defined by two opposing arms, wherein the twoopposing arms have a first end at the distal end face and extend to asecond end, a proximal portion, a main body extending from the secondend of the two opposing arms of the distal portion to the proximalportion, the main body comprising an upper surface and a lower surface,a first outer edge extending from the upper surface to the lower surfaceof the main body, and a second outer edge extending from the uppersurface to the lower surface of the main body, wherein the upper surfaceextends a first distance from the distal portion to the proximal portionalong a longitudinal axis of the reciprocating surgical saw blade andextends a second distance from the first outer edge to the second outeredge along an additional axis that intersects the longitudinal axis,wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance, andwherein the distal portion comprises a distal portion height and themain body comprises at least two recessed surfaces along the uppersurface that have a main body portion height less than the distalportion height, the reciprocating surgical saw blade further comprisinga biocompatible polymer on the upper surface within the at least tworecessed surfaces.
 2. The reciprocating surgical saw blade of claim 1,wherein the biocompatible polymer is further disposed on the lowersurface.
 3. The reciprocating surgical saw blade of claim 1, wherein thebiocompatible polymer is further disposed on the first outer edge. 4.The reciprocating surgical saw blade of claim 1, wherein thebiocompatible polymer is further disposed on the second outer edge. 5.The reciprocating surgical saw blade of claim 1, wherein thebiocompatible polymer is raised with respect to an upper surface of thedistal portion.
 6. The reciprocating surgical saw blade of claim 1,wherein the biocompatible polymer is flush with an upper surface of thedistal portion.
 7. The reciprocating surgical saw blade of claim 1,wherein the biocompatible polymer comprises a prophylactic coating thatsurrounds the main body.
 8. The reciprocating surgical saw blade ofclaim 1, wherein the upper surface defines a plurality of cavities. 9.The reciprocating surgical saw blade of claim 1 further comprising: anelastic barrier running along either the first outer edge or the secondouter edge, wherein the elastic barrier is configured to dampen a forcereceived from the reciprocating surgical saw blade when thereciprocating surgical saw blade comes into contact with a cuttingguide.
 10. The reciprocating surgical saw blade of claim 9, wherein theelastic barrier extends from the distal portion to the proximal portion.11. The reciprocating surgical saw blade of claim 1, wherein the mainbody defines a plurality of cavities, and wherein each cavity of theplurality extends between the upper surface and the lower surface. 12.The reciprocating surgical saw blade of claim 1, further comprising anelongated cavity provided either along the upper surface or the lowersurface, and wherein the biocompatible polymer is disposed within theelongated cavity.
 13. The reciprocating surgical saw blade of claim 12,wherein the elongated cavity extends between the upper surface and thelower surface of the main body.
 14. The reciprocating surgical saw bladeof claim 1, further comprising a cavity provided within the distalportion.
 15. The reciprocating surgical saw blade of claim 1, furthercomprising a series of elastic barriers running along the first outeredge and the second outer edge and extending from the distal portion tothe proximal portion, wherein a first elastic barrier of the series ofelastic barriers is between one of the at least two recessed surfacesand the first outer edge and a second elastic barrier of the series ofelastic barriers is between the other of the at least two recessedsurfaces and the second outer edge.
 16. The reciprocating surgical sawblade of claim 1, wherein the biocompatible polymer is provided withinthe least two recessed surfaces and is flush with the distal portion.17. The reciprocating surgical saw blade of claim 1, wherein thebiocompatible polymer is provided within the least two recessed surfacesand has a height greater than a height defined by the distal portion.18. The reciprocating surgical saw blade of claim 1, wherein the atleast two recessed surfaces include a plurality of cavities.
 19. Areciprocating surgical saw blade comprising: a distal portion comprisinga cutting geometry provided along a distal end face and an open aperturedefined by two opposing arms, wherein the two opposing arms have a firstend at the distal end face and extend to a second end, a proximalportion, a main body extending between the second end of the twoopposing arms of the distal portion and the proximal portion, the mainbody comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, a first outer edgeextending from the upper surface to the lower surface, and a secondouter edge extending from the upper surface to the lower surface, andwherein the upper surface extends a first distance from the distalportion to the proximal portion along a longitudinal axis of thereciprocating surgical saw blade and extends a second distance from thefirst outer edge to the second outer edge along an additional axis thatintersects the longitudinal axis, wherein the first distance is greaterthan the second distance, wherein the distal portion comprises a distalportion height and the main body comprises at least two recessedsurfaces along the upper surface that have a main body portion heightless than the distal portion height, a series of elastic barriersrunning along the first outer edge and the second outer edge of the mainbody of the reciprocating surgical saw blade and extending from thedistal portion to the proximal portion, wherein the series of elasticbarriers are configured to dampen a force received from thereciprocating surgical saw blade when the reciprocating surgical sawblade comes into contact with a cutting guide, and wherein a firstelastic barrier of the series of elastic barriers is between one of theat least two recessed surfaces and the first outer edge and a secondelastic barrier of the series of elastic barriers is between the otherof the at least two recessed surfaces and the second outer edge, thereciprocating surgical saw blade further comprising a biocompatiblepolymer on the upper surface.
 20. The reciprocating surgical saw bladeof claim 19, wherein the biocompatible polymer is raised with respect toan upper surface of the distal portion.
 21. The reciprocating surgicalsaw blade of claim 19, wherein the biocompatible polymer is flush withan upper surface of the distal portion.